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Tonight I'm heading to Porter Square Books in Cambridge, Ma, to celebrate the one-year anniversary of an innovative program called Fresh Ink. Last year, the indie bookseller sent out this invitation to the community:
Want to be the first one to read new and upcoming books BEFORE anyone else? Introducing a new program at Porter Square Books called FRESH INK that allows young people between the ages of 7-17 to read books BEFORE they are published. How do we do this? Publishers send us early copies of books months ahead of publication to help us decide which books we want to carry on our shelves. These early books are called Advanced Reader Copies (ARCs) and unfortunately for us, we just don't have time to read
everything. So we're asking for your help.
FIVE HUNDREDreviews later, the store is throwing a party, and rightfully so, don't you think? Here's the schedule of events starting at 7 o'clock in the evening:
Carter Hasegawa, bookseller and erstwhile Candlewick guy, is giving an introduction.
Three Fresh Ink reviewers will discuss writing reviews: Jenna, age 15, Ty, age 8, and Allison, age 11.
Anne DeCourcey, sales rep from HarperCollins, will share why publishers value reviewers.
Three guest authors will discuss memorable reviews or how reviews have impacted their work:
Sheela Chari, author of VANISHED (Hyperion, Aug 2011)
Karsten Knight, author of WILDEFIRE (Simon and Schuster, July 2011)
Mitali Perkins, author of BAMBOO PEOPLE (Charlesbridge, July 2010)
Doesn't this sound like the perfect event to demonstrate the power of an independent bookseller? I'll be taking photos, so stay tuned for an update. And if you're in the area, please stop by and introduce yourself.
I'm thrilled that Bamboo People has been named the Children's Literature Honor book by the APALA arm of the American Library Association. Here's the full list of winners—congratulations, one and all, and thanks to the librarians who selected the books:
Picture Book Winner
Malaspina, Ann. Yasmin’s Hammer. Illustrated by Doug Ghayka. New York: Lee and Low, 2010.
Picture Book Honor
Thong, Roseanne. Fly Free! Illustrated by Eujin Kim Neilan. Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mills Press, 2010
Children’s Literature Winner
Preus, Margi. Heart of a Samurai. New York: Amulet Books (Abrams), 2010.
Congratulations, Mitali, I am so thrilled for you and Bamboo People...you know how much I liked that book and I still reflect on it often! Applause and showers of RIF gold stars!
This year's collection contains 250 titles in 36 languages from 52 countries, and I'm thrilled that Bamboo People is one of the titles representing the United States. Here are the eight 2011 White Raven books from the United States, with the IYL's annotations:
DiCamillo, Kate, McGhee, Alison, and Fucile, Tony Bink and Gollie
Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.
Small, wild-haired, vivacious peanut-butter addict Bink and tall, lean, neat pancake baker Gollie are an odd pair of friends. Yet, even if their opinions on lots of matters diverge considerably, e.g. on whether “outrageously bright socks” are great or on whether a fish can be a marvellous companion, the two girls always find some sort of compromise in the end. This enchanting cross between picture book and first reader chronicles three of their adventures together in short, witty, fast-paced dialogue. The entertaining cartoon-like digital illustrations are mostly black and white with only occasional splashes of colour. They admirably bring the two protagonists and their world to life and make it easy for young readers to identify with the girls (and discuss the meaning of friendship). (2011 Theodor-Seuss-Geisel-Award) (Age: 7+)
Lee, Suzy Shadow
San Francisco: Chronicle Books.
In this virtually wordless picture book in black and white and yellow, Korean artist Suzy Lee explores the boundaries between the real and the imaginary world. The pages in the unusual landscape-format book flip from bottom to top instead of right to left with the top page initially representing the real world and the bottom page the silhouette-like fantasy realm until they blur into each other. The story takes off with a vivacious little girl in an attic surrounded by a clutter of objects that cast mysterious shadows on the floor. Soon the shadows take on a life of their own. The small protagonist pirouettes and jumps through a magical jungle scenery, is pursued by a wolf-like demon, escapes by creating a ferocious jungle monster, and… is suddenly whizzed back to reality by her parents’ call to dinner. This exuberant and carefully designed treasure will be read again and again and inspire children to initiate their own imaginary shadow-play world. (Age: 3+)
Perkins, Mitali Bamboo People
Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge.
Returned home from winter break to delightful news: Bamboo People is shortlisted as a Book of the Year finalist in the Young Adult Novel category of the 2011 Indies Choice Awards. Here are the nominees (in alphabetical order):
And, as if that's not enough, I'm a finalist in the "Most Engaging Author" category, given to an "author who is an in-store star with a strong sense of the importance of indie booksellers to the community."
Don't know about the first part of the description, but the second is certainly true: I'd be nowhere as an author were it not for my indies. Being in the company of the other nominees is a huge part of this honor: Laurie Halse Anderson, Jonathan Evison, Kevin Henkes, Richard Russo, and Terry Tempest Williams.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, independent booksellers, a national treasure. May you live long and prosper!
Primary Source, an organization dedicated to "educating for global understanding, hosted a global read of Bamboo People last week. Here's the update about that event from their site:
Bamboo People Global Read Event a Huge Success
On Wednesday, January 12th, Primary Source launched an innovative, all-online Global Read book discussion. Over 120 people from across the country registered for the chance to join Mitali Perkins in a discussion of her young adult novel, Bamboo People.
As part of the web-based discussion forum, one teacher wrote, "Thank you, Primary Source, for this opportunity for an online book discussion, and, thank you, Mitali, for writing a book that makes our students ponder uncomfortable realities like repressive governments, third world people, and war and human conflict."
Then, educators, parents, and students joined Mitali on January 19th for a one-hour live online chat. This was a truly unique opportunity and an engaging discussion! Couldn't make it to the live chat on January 19th? View a full recording online.
Also, be sure to check out the special companion resource guide created by the Primary Source Library. It includes recommended books, films, and websites related to Bamboo People.
Primary Source is hosting a global read of Bamboo People this week involving 90+ educators and students. I'm tuning in every now and then before my official live appearance on Wednesday from 3-4 p.m. EST (register here if you're interested in joining us). I've been absolutely fascinated by the deep insights and responses to my novel. Here's an example of one of the questions posed in the forum followed by answers from six different educators.
Question
What significance did Chiko's glasses play throughout the book?
Answers
Throughout the book, Chiko's glasses represented his tenuous grip on his own destiny. They set him apart from the other Burmese characters in the book, most of whom were illiterate. They were the key to his reading, which in turn was the key to his survival when he was at the Burmese army camp. Several times in the novel, he lost his glasses, and he had to rely on others to return them to him. This demonstrates how he often felt like he had no control over his future, and that one person's strength is not enough to get him or her through a difficult time. The fact that the glasses were damaged, but still useful to Chiko reflects his own condition ...
Perhaps losing his eyeglasses also indicates that Chiko must learn to "see" people and the world in a new way. Before the events of the book, he had lived a sheltered, protected life and seen the world through the lenses or eyes given to him by his parents. In the story, he experienced the reality of life for himself, both good and bad, to become his own person. He would always rely on the view of the world first instilled in him by his family, but he had to discover that one sees and learns about living through more than just the eyes.
Chiko was lucky enough to have been taught to read, unlike most people in his country. The glasses are a symbol of his ablility to read, to be open and learn, to be worldly, and survive in the rebel army. They allowed him to stay alive. He was useful to those "above him" and was protected, even from the abusive captain, by his ability to read. To some extent, his reading also helped his young friend in the army as well. I also believe that the glasses helped Chiko and Tu Reh to have a new lens into each others' cultures. Chiko was always more open and giving, but Tu Reh was filled with rage and hositility towards the enemy, and Chiko at first, was the enemy. Tu Reh's rage abated somewhat when he continued to see a wounded Chiko reach for his pocket for his lost glasses. The lost glasses made Chiko vulnerable to the enemy and made the anger of Tu Reh vulnerable as well.
One lens was cracked, the other, still intact as I recall. Could a cracked lens mean the loss of a sheltered homelife, the loss of the innocence of Chiko and the demands of the cruel world he was being exposed to? Is the intact lens the hope and love that Chiko carries
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Bacigalupi, Paolo. Ship Breaker. Little, Brown, and Co. Nailer is a light crew scavenger tearing up old hulks of ships, living day to day, until a rich girl and her gleaming ship run ashore in a storm on the beach and his life gets more dangerous.
Donnelley, Jennifer. Revolution. Random House Children's Books/Delacorte. Haunted by the death of her brother, Andi is taken to Paris by her estranged father where an encounter with a mysterious diary may bring her back from the edge.
Marchetta, Melina. Finnikin of the Rock. Candlewick. Finnikin and his fellow exiles from Lumatere wish to return to their cursed homeland. Finnikin must go on an epic journey with a mute novice named Evanjalin to return home.
Matson, Morgan. Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour. Simon & Schuster. Amy and Roger must both learn to deal with loss while on a road trip across the country which doesn't go as expected.
McBride, Lish. Hold Me Closer, Necromancer. Macmillan Children's Book Group/Henry Holt. When Sam discovers he is a necromancer he must learn to control his power in order to defeat a powerful and corrupt rival and save his friends.
Mulligan, Andy. Trash. David Fickling Books. Three garbage-picker boys find an item of great value to a corrupt politician on their rounds, setting off a tense hunt to see who will triumph.
Perkins, Mitali. Bamboo People. Chiko, a Burmese soldier and Tu Reh, a Kerenni refugee meet on opposite sides of war and each must learn what it means to be a man of his people.
Reinhardt, Dana. The Things a Brother Knows. Random House Children's Books/Wendy Lamb. Boaz is back and hailed as the hometown hero, but he is not at all the same. Can his younger brother Levi help him truly make his way home?
Saenz, Benjamin. Last Night I Sang to the Monster. Cinco Puntos Press, 2009. Weeks in therapy go by and 18-year-old Zach is still unable to remember the monstrous events that left him alone and haunted by nightmares.
Sedgwick, Marcus. Revolver. Roaring Brook Press. Sig is alone with his father’s body when the lawless man his father had managed to escape appears out of the icy wilderness.
Congratulations Mitali, and thanks for the list. I need to read some of the other books on that list, especially if they're anywhere near as good as Bamboo People.
Oh, wonderful! Bamboo People and Amy and Roger were two of the books that made me wish our Cybils shortlist could hold a few more. I'm glad we have so many different awards and lists, so awesome books like these don't get missed!
Next week, Primary Source (Educating for Global Understanding) is hosting a discussion forum for a global read of Bamboo People. 90+ educators and students have already signed up, but there's room for more. Here's the official announcement:
Global Read of Bamboo People by Mitali Perkins
Online discussion forum: January 12-19, 2011
Live chat session with the author: Wednesday, January 19, 3-4 p.m. EST
Primary Source is proud to announce a unique global reading opportunity. Responding to requests from educators, Primary Source will facilitate a FREE worldwide book discussion, or "Global Read," featuring an online discussion forum followed by a "live" web-based session.
You are invited to join us for a discussion of the young adult novel, Bamboo People, by Mitali Perkins — a compelling coming-of-age story about child soldiers in modern Burma. The online discussion forum will begin on Wednesday, January 12th. Then join the author for a live chat on January 19th.
Register early to guarantee your spot! Registration is free but participants are responsible for obtaining their own copy of the book.
As if that weren't enough, the librarian at Primary Source, Jennifer Hanson, has created a wonderful curriculum guide to use in coordination with the book.
Thought you'd like to know-- one of my students "lost" Bamboo People. A lot of times, the students really want to keep the book and have no other way of purchasing it, and I strongly suspect that is what happened! The copy was checking out well, and I certainly will be replacing it!
"San Diego." "Midwinter." Don't you love the juxtaposition? This weekend, I'm fortunate to be attending the American Library Association's Annual Midwinter Conference in San Diego, California.
I'm speaking at USBBY's Membership Meeting during the ALA Library Conference on Friday, 1/7, 8-10 p.m. at the Hilton in Indigo 202A/B. The Outstanding International Children's Books Committee will present their 2011 selections, followed by my talk. Anyone with an interest in children's and/or young adult literature is welcome to attend.
On Saturday, I'll be in Charlesbridge's booth from 10-11 (#1808) signing BAMBOO PEOPLE. Then I head over to Harper Collins' booth (#2016) from 11:30-12:30, reverentially signing Maud Hart Lovelace reissues with author and fellow foreword writer Melissa Wiley -- I'll be signing EMILY OF DEEP VALLEY while she personalizes CARNEY'S HOUSE PARTY.
I got a two-page letter in the mail recently, enclosed in a large manila envelope. Here's an excerpt:
Dear Mitali Perkins,
Through reading your novel Bamboo People, we have discovered that you included false accusations and stories of our government. These include purporting that children are "kidnapped," tortured or otherwise harmed by our government. After careful research, we find that these rumors are not true, not right, and a deliberate attack to our government. Your book has been placed under a censored list, and the current copy is banned as of 6/9/10.
As a result of you having tried to attack our government and deliberately cause harm and chaos to our people, the Foreign Affairs office of the government has revised your privileges in this country. Your current visa may be revoked, since if you do come to Burma, it will be for the purpose of distributing your book and tantalizing our people with false ideas. Be warned that the Government of Burma may pursue legal and disciplinary action against you if you try to distribute this book. All laws and policies are strictly enforced, so it is recommended that you immediately stop the publication of this book, destroy it, and not attempt to attack our government again.
Your writing, however, shows some promise, so we suggest you try to continue and focus on other topics that would benefit the Burmese people, such as creative writing of our long and traditional culture.
Thank you,
Akyab Orwell
I'll confess that my heart skipped a beat. Thankfully, as I pulled out the rest of the papers in the envelope, I discovered that this was the work of a brilliant 8th grader in Ms. Suzanne Steckert's class at Mt. Pleasant Middle School. Whew. That kid has a bright future in propaganda or fiction. Maybe both. Best wishes, Mr. "Orwell."
I was also going to congratulate you. Burma's junta is one of the most barbaric regimes in the world. If my books were banned by them I would write back a quote from the movie V for Vendetta:"Beneath this mask there is more than flesh. Beneath this mask there is an idea, Mr. Creedy, and ideas are bulletproof."
Great work, nameless student! Your creativity will get you far.
Wild! I particularly liked the suggestion to stop publication and destroy the book, followed up by the note that your writing shows some promise, if only you'd use it for good rather than rumor-mongering and evil. :) What a cool/terrifying fan letter.
My heart skipped a beat, too, on your behalf! What an excellent writer who clearly grasps the realities of Burma.BAMBOO PEOPLE obviously impacted this young person.
Wow. Impressive. How great that they are reading your book and thinking so deeply about the situation in Burma.
I confess, I was a bit scared for you, too, when I started reading it. This makes me think about an interview I heard with Toni Morrison on NPR in which she focuses on Writing's Power and Censorship. Have a listen if you get a chance.
Wow! I was halfway out of my chair, set to go grab the book off the shelves and show it to the reference librarians as soon as I finished reading. Very impressive writing!
Akyab had me until the "Orwell" last name, although I did think the "shows promise" part was a bit goofy. I'm juggling a related issue myself as I'm revising an older nonfiction manuscript, and I really, really should have caught on a lot sooner: any official would have used "Myanmar" instead of Burma!
I've also updated my list of reviews of Bamboo People with much gratitude, hoping to shine a light on Burma, because "in the ethnic areas there is suffering on a biblical scale, in every way comparable to Darfur." (Partners Relief)
And if you're in the Boston area, there's still time to plan to come to the launch party for the book this Thursday, 7 p.m., Porter Square Books, Cambridge.
When you write a book that isn't a gothic-zombie-romantic-thriller-optioned-for-a-movie-before-pub-date kind of novel, you count on many, many advocates to spread the news so that young people can discover your story. That's why I'm eternally grateful to the bloggers and reviewers who have recommended Bamboo People (Charlesbridge, July 2010):
You didn't miss me because I haven't written my review yet. But I just finished reading Bamboo People last night, and I thought it was fantastic. Thanks for the story and for the insight into a disturbing and under-appreciated part of our world.
Melissa from YA Book Shelf here. I just wanted to say when I saw the description of Bamboo People, I thought it would not only be interesting for me, but also would be a great book for young people (both those who know about the situation between the Burmese and the Karenni and those who didn't). The book lived up to and exceeded my expectations, so I was thrilled to get the chance to promote it. Young people need more books like yours!
Taking a two-week break from blogging to visit my parents, so I'll leave you with this invitation to come to my book launch party for Bamboo People on August 19, 2010 at 7:00 p.m., Porter Square Books, Cambridge, Ma. Bring friends to enjoy the Burmese appetizers; everybody's welcome! RSVP here or by email.
It started as a picture book, and after 10+ years of revisions and rejections, my novelBamboo People launches today. Thanks to everybody who had a hand in it. I pray it sheds light on the young people forced to fight in Burma as well as on the Karenni refugees forced to flee that country who now live along the Thai-Burma border in camps and are beginning to come to the United States.
"A graceful exploration of the redemptive power of love, family, and friendship." —★ Publishers Weekly Starred Review
Chiko isn’t a fighter by nature. He’s a book-loving Burmese boy whose father, a doctor, is in prison for resisting the government. Tu Reh, on the other hand, wants to fight for freedom after watching Burmese soldiers destroy his Karenni family's home and bamboo fields.
Timidity becomes courage and anger becomes compassion as each boy is changed by unlikely friendships formed under extreme circumstances.
This coming-of-age novel takes place against the political and military backdrop of modern-day Burma. Narrated by two fifteen-year-old boys on opposing sides of the conflict between the Burmese government and the Karenni, one of the many ethnic minorities in Burma, Bamboo People explores the nature of violence, power, and prejudice.
What a wonderful day, when BAMBOO PEOPLE makes its way into the world! I am so happy for you, Mitali, and thrilled to see the book on the shelves. (And very happy to have obtained a coveted signed copy at ALA!)
Didn't I make my book website pretty with @blogger's new template design tools? http://bamboopeople.org
About an hour later, blogger (a Google affiliate which I use as a platform for this blog), obviously on twitter, graciously featured my book site as yesterday's "Blog of Note."
What is a blog of note, anyway? Here's the official description:
Blogs of Note ... waited for its moment, which finally came when an attempt to put a Blog Search box on the Blogger homepage went awry and ended up as Explore Blogs, an overly delightfully-animated look into the most interesting, most recent, and most random blogs on Blogger (plus a search box). Finally, Blogs of Note was given back its spotlight and — so as not to look stale and lame — we kicked it up a notch and started updating it more often, showing off a new noteworthy blog every day. In the past five years, over seven hundred blogs have appeared on Blogs of Note (at least one of them twice!)
What this means is that two weeks before pub date, I'm getting hundreds of visitors from all over the world to the book's website. Check out my site stats for the last 24 hours:
Does this mean I'm selling books? Probably not. But we're shining a bit more light on the children of Burma, right?
Quite a bit of Bollywood-esque celebratory jiggling going on in my study this morning, thanks to a starred review from Publishers Weekly for my forthcoming novel, Bamboo People. Here's a excerpt of the review:
"... Perkins seamlessly blends cultural, political, religious, and philosophical context into her story, which is distinguished by humor, astute insights into human nature, and memorable characters ... As Chiko and Tu Reh wrestle with prejudices of culture and class, Perkins delivers a graceful exploration of the redemptive power of love, family, and friendship under untenable circumstances."
If you weren't there, BookExpo Cast has the 2010 Children's Breakfast at Book Expo America in entirety, including the other two speakers, Cory Doctorow and Richard Peck, and the Master of Ceremonies, Sarah Ferguson, but here's just my speech:
One note — they cut my white doves! Right after describing how angry I felt when I saw the grandson of the man who commandeered our ancestral property, I shared about how two white doves landed on the house. It was a clear symbol of forgiveness and peace that changed my heart, but somehow the video crew blipped through that redemptive moment. Oh, well. Here's the slideshow I showed:
Here's a roundup of reviews of my forthcoming novel, Bamboo People, including this nice quote from Kirkus Reviews:
While Perkins doesn’t sugarcoat her subject—coming of age in a brutal, fascistic society—this is a gentle story with a lot of heart, suitable for younger readers than the subject matter might suggest. It answers the question, “What is it like to be a child soldier?” clearly, but with hope.
In Burma, $50 can save five lives — providing rice, a cooking pot, a machete, a lighter, and a plastic tarp to boys like Tu Reh, Chiko, and their families.
After reading Bamboo People, if a classroom, scout troop, or book group wants to help, why not raise $50 through a bake sale, car wash, or other brilliant idea and send it to Partners World? After you raise the money and send it, write me ([email protected]) and I'll list you here along with other groups who participate.
With the release date of my forthcoming novel Bamboo People (Charlesbridge) only one month away, I've been tinkering with a Facebook ad that's showing some nice preliminary results. Here are a few steps in my virtual book launch using a combination of Facebook and Blogger:
Set up a site via blogger exclusively for the book and registered a domain name (bamboopeople.org). At the site, I provide an educator's guide generated by Charlesbridge, links to more about the situation in Burma, reviews, and options to purchase using Indiebound (gateway to independent bookstores) and GetGlue ("an innovative social recommendation network for movies, books, and music.")
Installed a free hidden statcounter code to track hits to the site.
Currently playing with an ad on Facebook with a $2/day limit, targeting people who live in the UK and the USA who "like" Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma, Burma Campaign UK, Daw Aung Aan Suu Kyi, Myanmar, Refugee, Refugees, or US Campaign for Burma. I set my pay per click (vs. view) at $.65, within the parameters suggested by Facebook, and linked the ad to my bamboopeople.org website. My click-through rate has been outstanding, and the ad has shown up over 500,000 times in April and May, even with me putting it on pause for days to save money. The week before and after launch, I plan to increase the daily spending limit, add more keywords, and keep an eye on my click-throughs.
I plan to spend $100-$150 total for this venture, including the registration of the domain name. Anyone else tried a book-related ad on Facebook? What's your experience or advice?
I did with my first book-- spent $150 on facebook and the click through rate was great like you said. But then comparing it to the monthly sales report my agent sends there wasn't any difference whatsoever in sales.
Kirsten did a Facebook ad for us for AFTER GANDHI in December; we spent $150, I think. We got 500+ click-throughs to the book's website. But I don't know that it translated into booksales.
Mitali, Thanks for sharing this. I am very interested in your experiment, as I have been thinking about trying something similar. Do keep us in the loop. Thanks.
My question: why did you create a book-dedicated site rather than just lead visitors to your terrific book-specific page here: http://www.mitaliperkins.com/bamboo_people.html
Aliciataylor said, on 6/4/2010 12:16:00 AM
Kirsten did a Facebook ad for us for AFTER GANDHI in December; we spent $150, I think. We got 500+ click-throughs to the book's website. But I don't know that it translated into booksales.
Carol H. Rasco, the CEO of Reading is Fundamental, graciously hosted me and my novel Bamboo People (Charlesbridge | July 1, 2010) at her blog on Memorial Day.
"I was transported to Burma and experienced the lives of two child soldiers and their families who are on opposite sides of the conflict there," Carol writes in her introduction to my post. "What an excellent book for all of us adults to read ourselves and then to discuss with children in the upper elementary grades, the target audience for the book."
In this podcast episode, Mitali tells us about her new book, Bamboo People. Bamboo People is a coming-of-age novel that takes place against the political and military backdrop of modern-day Burma. Narrated by two teenagers on opposing sides of the conflict between the Burmese government and the Karenni, one of the many ethnic minorities in Burma, Bamboo People explores the nature of violence, power, and prejudice.
Perkins will speak at the BEA 2010 Children’s Author Breakfast, Wednesday, May 26 at 8:00 AM. She will be joined by Cory Doctorow, author of For the Win; and Richard Peck, author of Three Quarters Dead. Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, and author of Helping Hand Books: Emily’s First Day at School will be the Master of Ceremonies.
Popping in to share this lovely review of Bamboo People featured in Shelf Awareness this week. Here's a clip:
"The author paints war in all of its gradations of gray, including the people who influence those decisions, both powerful and seemingly powerless. Readers will leave this moving story—half from Chiko's first-person narrative, and half narrated by Tu Reh—with the understanding that everyone has a choice, no matter how dire the circumstances."
On this rainy day in Boston, I'm loving being at home in my yoga pants and flip-flops. The best part is knowing that my novel Bamboo People is heading out on tour, thanks to my innovative friend Vivian Mahoney (otherwise known as blogger Hip Writer Mama.)
COMMENThere and include what U.S. state you live in—no addresses please, just your state.
FIVE (5) people will be selected to participate in the BAMBOO PEOPLE ARC Road Trip. I'll map out the route and e-mail each person one address for mailing purposes.
READ the ARC and POST a review on your blog.
WRITE a message for Mitali in the ARC and MAIL it to the next person within 2 weeks. I haven't had a chance to get the book weighed at the post office, but it should cost less than $5.00 at book rate.
THE final reader will send the ARC directly to Mitali!
DEADLINE for commenting is Monday, April 5th at 11pm EST.
I'm so grateful to Vivian for organizing this (she is truly hip), and can't wait to read the comments in the book. Bon voyage, Bamboo People!
I read the book 2 times .each time tears rolled down 4 times. it is very touchy and educational book. ihave always been a huge admirer of my daughter. she is one of the funniest and most entertaining writer i know. she is our daughter.MITALI PERKINS love mom
Seventeen students from King Middle School in Portland, Maine traveled with two teachers and their fabulous librarian, Kelley McDaniel, to lunch with me today at a Burmese restaurant in Boston. What a memory! I love my job.
My first stop was my ever-generous publisher Charlesbridge, where Donna Spurlock gave me books to give as gifts to the kids.
YoMa ("mountain") Burmese restaurant is owned by a Shan man who came to Boston in 1993 after receiving political asylum for his role in the 8/8/88 protests. Delicious food and gracious service.
The amazing Kelley McDaniel—a poster child for why we need school librarians—coordinated the entire event, including the signed bamboo stick they gave me as a gift.
Much to my amazement, three of the students were newly-arrived Karenni who come from a refugee camp like the one where my novel is set. They didn't speak much English, but they dressed up for the visit, and even mustered shy smiles for this photo. Find out more about Karenni refugees here.
Kelley had read aloud an ARC of my book, Bamboo People, but the students were excited to get their own signed copies. And yes, that's my hero, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi watching us from the wall.
That's my kind of power lunch! Thanks for sharing--and especially for the pictures. Love those kids.
I am Kelley's mom - What can I say but that I am so PROUD of her and the work she is doing with kids and with you! Thank you so much for sharing the story! Doris Ray
I just found out about Bamboo People and I'm so thrilled that you wrote this book. I can't wait to read it. I've been to a lot of events and read a lot of articles on Burma, including a powerful report in Poets & Writers a couple of years ago in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis. I thought then that we need a really good book for young people about Burma today, from someone who knows the area and culture, and you're the right person to have taken this on. Thank you!
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Johanna Harness said, on 3/26/2010 2:02:00 PM
What an honor! Congratulations to you and all the other authors.
Congratulations! Bamboo People was one of the best YA books I read last year and Shooting Kabul is one of my favorites this year.
* Wonderful! Congratulations to all of you!
Congratulations to you, Mitali, and all the other winners!
Congratulations, Mitali, I am so thrilled for you and Bamboo People...you know how much I liked that book and I still reflect on it often! Applause and showers of RIF gold stars!
Congratulations Mitali - well deserved! A fantastic list here!
Congratulations, Mitali. Hooray for Bamboo People! SO well deserved :).
Much congrats and Senzai, Shooting Kabul was a great debut.
Thank you all, so much. I am thrilled.
Congratulations to you for Bamboo People! I loved the story. Thanks for posting, too.